Cola Harrell Parker

Published 11:23 am Monday, February 13, 2012

WOODLAND – Cola Harrell Parker, 100, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 in Rocky Mount.

Born in Hertford County on November 13, 1911, he was the son of the late Elpena Council Parker and Ella Harrell Parker of Menola.  Mr. Parker attended high school in Woodland where he resided most of his life.  After graduating high school, he attended Wake Forest University where he graduated with a B.S. Degree in chemistry and science.  He taught in Edgecombe County where he taught science and coached basketball and met the love of his life.  He married Emma Ellen Earley from Ahoskie on May 12, 1938.  He worked at Bethlehem Steel as a chemist in the lab in Baltimore, Maryland.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served as a Lieutenant with tours in Africa, Italy and France. He was a life-long member of Potecasi Baptist Church and served as a deacon and in many positions in the church.

He is survived by his wife, Emma E. Earley, of 73 years and two children, Jennifer Parker Hester and husband, Thomas S. Hester, Jr., of Henderson, and Harrell Parker of Rocky Mount.  He has two grandchildren, Hope Jackson and husband, Matt Jackson, and Thomas S. Hester, III, all of Henderson.  He has three great grandchildren, Chandler, Lane and Bryson Jackson, all of Henderson.

He has been a long time resident of Woodland and now for the past four years resided at Breckenridge in Rocky Mount.

A graveside celebration was held on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Potecasi Baptist Church in Potecasi.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Potecasi Baptist Church, P. O. Box 8, Potecasi, NC  27867.

Garrett-Jones Funeral Home in Ahoskie served the Parker family.